Hi Ak,
Very ingenious.
It reminds me of certain track useage in another part of the world to Germany
I have 2 rail stuff, mostly North American (era IIIa Pennsylvania, Norfolk and Western).
Using Trix C track (mostly same geometry available as Märklin C track) I have often dreamt how I would do certain arrangements.

Such as double mainline tracks into three and the reverse after a few miles to allow passing trains (very common) using slim turnouts.

Because I do not have a 2 rail layout or room for one, I have never gotten around to trying what may be possible.

Kimball

Then a track inventory might be helpful.

One idea, two crossings.

24649 crossing: The curve is a 24224. The short straight pieces are 24064.


24640 crossing: The straight track in below configuration requires the intervention by a saw. I used the customised track piece presented in post no. 288 extended by a 24071. The curve is a 24224 which could be replaced by a 2461x turnout.

The most compact pretzel possible:

76 x 160 cm

Three types of straights used.

The Märklin track geometry for parallel main lines has a separation of 77.5mm when using the short turnouts such as 24611/2.
The separation when using the long turnouts such as 24711/2 is 64.6mm.

The following is a basic geometrical device to progress from 77.5mm to 64.6mm between parallel tracks.
It is achieved through a 90° curve which I used quite a few times in my layout design.

The outer track starts with a 24064 piece straight.
The inner track starts from the same start perpendicular with a 24077 straight.
Page 41 of the booklet supplied with starter sets explains this.


Kimball

Just a note for those C track users who create custom track sections or want to do a repair.

Digging around it seems that the C track base is made using Luran S, that explains the tiny ASA stamped on the bottom. From the web -"Luran® S acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) polymers feature high surface quality and good impact strength including enhanced colour fastness. The products deliver superior long-term performance when exposed to UV irradiation and heat and additionally provide excellent chemical resistance".

Going through the manufacturer's data it seemed that this plastic could be "welded" using methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as a solvent - the kind of stuff used to join PVC pipes. I've put this to the test with some "clear priming fluid" from the plumbing section of the local hardware store, about 8 AUD for 250ml - enough for several lifetimes. This says it is 60-100% MEK. With a little practice it can make a VERY strong plastic bond between C track bits.

MEK is not an adhesive glue - it actually melts the plastic itself - so simple butt joints can look terrible, but if you brush a little on the underside of the track bed and then bridge the gap with some similarly brushed offcuts you can get a good joint with no trouble. About 5 minutes to cure/set/dry.

According to some posts from the LGB types, it can also be used for repairs to rolling stock where conventional adhesives have been found unreliable. But it is deadly stuff and great care would be needed - one fingerprint could ruin a prized item.



BASF Luran S.pdf (1,738kb) downloaded 12 time(s).

Hi Jim,

I only took pictures during the first trial. I went to the trouble the first time of cutting the joining bits to include rails for extra strength - it is not necessary and a lot of extra work.

Also tried it on my prototype 3D printed pucko cleaner ...

As before, I'll caution everyone to have a practice run or two first - the MEK is a very thin, runny fluid.

Cheers!

See Below

Further to post #307 on the 76 x 160 cm pretzel...

76 x 170 cm: How to enter the circle of trust with standard track segments.



76 x 180 cm: How to enter the circle of trust with a custom-cut 100 mm long straight segment (the latter being shown in post #314).

Entering the circle of trust cont' on 85 x 195 cm.

Edited by user 24 December 2022 19:45:57(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

This document was posted on the Marklin Bar & Grill email last in the last couple of days ...

Shortening C-track.docx (6,691kb) downloaded 67 time(s).

It gives a very good step by step set of instructions for shortening C track.

Hi Alan,

Where is the bar and grill these days?
I used to have their emails when they were with yahoo groups some time ago?

Thank you Alan,
I then looked it up and there it is....
https://groups.io/g/marklinbandg

Cheers
Enjoy,
Mark

While resdisigning part of my layout, I have set and show here a station on a shelf less than 40 cm deep, with an elegant (I think) access from the left. Firstly, with the building and trees on the left part, I try to hide the sharp 90º curve, so that a train is well seen only at the moment of entering the station tracks. Secondly, a few wide radius tracks and turnouts are used and "S" curves avoided.

Very nice! Although unless you are planning to cut track, missing a couple of 24071 for the wide radius turnout?

Herman

Good morning and thanks for your appreciations.
Kimball, the former design was a small terminal station indeed, that permitted bringing the locomotive to the other end of the consist. Then I decided to continue the layout with a shadow station and that has been the result.
You are completely right, Herman, I forgot to tell. I have posted the plan actually implemented, in order to use two parallel 24912 (radius 1114,6mm), visually more convincing for the platform, although that implied some side cutting of the pieces following the “schlanke” turnout 24711. Here is a solution using the orthodox 24071s.
Regards
Francisco

In the past I used to say: "Never without my 24206 !"

Nowadays I add: "And never ever without my 24912 !"

I agree with both of you completely.
You can see in the picture attached a view, from the central platform, of the left part of the station and the platform between the two 24912.
Regards
Francisco



And now a more conventional view

Edited by user 11 March 2023 18:40:49(UTC)  | Reason: Insertion of another picture